There are three more weekends to enjoy San Francisco’s annual citywide art adventure. How often do you go to some of the City’s tucked away neighborhoods like Portola, Glen Park or Oceanview? Venture out and find some original, affordable art works you love; meet artists and support your local arts community at this year’s SF Open Studios.

Pick up a program at FLAX and check out our HUB exhibit for a preview of work by artists during these Open Studio weekends

Here are two places worth visiting in the vibrant, diverse SOMA neighborhood:

SOMA Artists Studios - 689 Bryant Street

SOMA Artists Studios at 689 Bryant Street, has been a part of the arts community in San Francisco for 25 years. SOMA Artists Studios (SAS) is comprised of a diverse group of professional artists, working in a wide range of media. Many have shown their work in Bay Area galleries, as well as nationally and internationally; many have received awards for their work. SAS artists participate in the city-wide ArtSpan Open Studios every year.

Having been in its current location since 1989, SOMA Artists Studios is losing its lease due to the burgeoning commercial real estate market and the rise of the tech industry in the neighborhood. Though they were able to negotiate a reprieve until December 2015, in the coming year 46 artists will be forced to move out.

These artists want to continue to be a part of the cultural life of the City. They would, of course, prefer to remain in the building—at least remain in San Francisco. They have a few good ideas of how this could happen: the purchase of this (or another) building at below market rates; a rent-to-own option, which would allow artists to buy their studios over a period of years, at below market rates; the creation of an artist colony in the Presidio, one subsidized by the Federal Government—similar to what was accomplished at Hunters Point Shipyard. All of these options would need the support of investors—individuals, corporations or foundations.

Visit SOMA Artists Studios - Friday, October 24, 6-9 pm and October 25 & 26, 11 am to 6 pm.

Arc Gallery & Studios - 1246 Folsom Street

Arc Gallery & Studios features a 1,000 sq. ft. art gallery, two smaller galleries, an art education center that provides classes in professional development for artists, and ten newly renovated artist studios. Arc Gallery & Studios inhabits the former location of New Langton Arts Foundation which closed it’s doors in 2009, and the partners of Arc are pleased to carry on the tradition of the space as an arts venue contributing to the vitality of the SOMA neighborhood. Arc Gallery promotes emerging and established artists from around the country through juried and curated exhibitions. Arc studio artists are participating in SF Open Studios.

Visit Arc Gallery & Studios - Friday, October 24, 6-9 pm and October 25 & 26, 11 am to 6 pm.